Celebrity Nooz: Jon Provost

Jon Provost (Actor) - Lassie

Updated: 8/22/19

Name: Jon Provost

Birth Name: March 12, 1950 in Los Angeles, California, USA

Born: Jonathan Bion Provost

Nickname: Timmy

Claim To Fame: Jon Provost is an American actor, best known for his role as young Timmy Martin in the CBS series Lassie (1957-1964).

Family Life: Provost met and later married, in 1979, first wife Sandy after accidentally backing his car into hers. They have a son and a daughter together. They subsequently divorced in 1993. Provost then married Laurie Jacobson in 1999 and the two are still going strong today.

Info: In 1957, Provost won the role of Timmy Martin in the CBS television series Lassie. He joined the show at the top of the fourth season.

Jon left Hollywood for college at Sonoma State University and chose to remain there, returning for occasional roles.

He sold real estate in Sonoma County, California and donated his time to various causes.

Served on the Board of Directors for Canine Companions for Independence, a non-paid position he held for more than 25 years. Among his many awards was one presented by the Motion Picture Council for his dedication in helping the physically challenged.

Seven-year-old Jon was hand-picked, and not screen-tested, for his role on Lassie solely based on the strength of his work in Escapade in Japan.

His mother accompanied him on the set and was paid a salary plus expenses for being with him. Brother Bill occasionally appeared in small roles on Lassie.

Trivia: In 1990, Provost was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award for his role as Timmy Martin on the original Lassie series.

In 1994, Provost received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080 Hollywood Blvd.

His memoirs, Timmy's in the Well: The Jon Provost Story, were released in December 2007.

In August 2008, Provost was honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Pocono Mountains Film Festival.

Provost's canine companion Lassie was played by three dogs that were all descendants of Pal, the original Lassie from the MGM films: Pal's son Lassie Jr. and his grandsons Baby and Spook. Provost said that they were all great dogs, but Baby was his favorite.

Still remains close to his Lassie former co-star, June Lockhart.

He left Hollywood in 1970, at 20 years old, after filming Disney's The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

Wrote a column for "Fido Friendly" magazine called Your Canine Connection.

His original Timmy outfit is in the Smithsonian Institution next to the Fonz's leather jacket and Archie Bunker's chair.

Where Are They Now: Since 2013, it seems as if Jon Provost has retired from acting. He does attend conventions and in November 2019 Provost will be joining Barry Williams, Jerry Mathers, Dawn Wells, Butch Patrick and many more, for the Classic TV Stars Cruise.

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